Apparel development reference
Explore material constructions for adult clothing. Compare a few directions, note the decoration you have in mind, and bring clearer questions to your first sample.
Choose a construction. Start with the surface, structure and drape you want to explore.
Ask about the swatch. Fibre content, finishing and testing make a material specific.
Review the garment. Confirm fabric, decoration and fit together through sampling.
Find a direction
Common starting uses, not a suitability guarantee. Select up to three materials to compare.
Filters narrow the reference list.
Your comparison choices stay selected.
10 material directions
A single-knit structure with a different face and back. Yarn, stitch density and finishing influence its handle and drape.
T-shirts, knit tops and knit dresses
What is the fibre composition? How does the swatch behave after washing? Check opacity, spirality, stretch direction and recovery.
A knit with loops on the reverse and a comparatively smooth face. Loop size and yarn choice change the feel of the reverse.
Hoodies, sweatshirts, joggers and shorts
Are the reverse loops retained or finished differently? Confirm composition, loop appearance, shrinkage and the drape of the actual swatch.
A knit with a brushed reverse that raises fibres into a pile. The brushing and underlying construction both affect the handle.
Hoodies, sweatshirts and sweatpants
Which side is brushed, and to what finish? Review shedding, pilling and dimensional-change test results, plus the reverse after laundering.
Alternating knit and purl columns create visible ribs. Rib structure is distinct from fibre composition or added elastane.
Rib tops, knit dresses, cuffs, neckbands and hems
Is it for the main body or a trim? Specify the rib structure and check stretch, recovery, finished width and colour matching to the body fabric.
A weave with a diagonal line on the surface. The yarn, weave and finish determine how a particular twill bends and feels.
Trousers, shorts, overshirts, jackets and caps
What face, finish and drape are intended? Confirm composition, stretch if required, dimensional change and colour after the planned wash.
A twill-based fabric family, often with contrasting warp and weft colours. Dyeing and garment washing can change its appearance and handle.
Jeans, jackets, skirts, dresses and hats
Which dye and wash effect is intended? Review rubbing colourfastness, shade variation and shrinkage using the proposed fabric and wash process.
A plain-weave fabric family with a visible interlacing structure. Yarn size and density influence its body and surface texture.
Jackets, trousers and structured hats
How much structure is needed? Check bend and seam bulk, dimensional change, colourfastness and the hand feel after the intended finishing.
A direction for a lightweight woven outer layer; plain and ripstop constructions are possible starting points. A finish or fibre name does not establish performance.
Shell jackets, light outer layers and hats
Which weave and finish are intended? If water, wind or other performance matters, specify the test method and required result for review.
A linen-containing woven direction. Fibre content, blend, weave and finishing influence slubs, creasing, texture and drape.
Woven shirts, dresses, trousers and light jackets
What is the exact linen percentage and weave? Assess opacity, creasing, seam behaviour and dimensional change on the proposed swatch.
A drape-led woven direction rather than one specific weave or fibre. The requested movement should be assessed on an actual swatch or reference garment.
Blouses, dresses, skirts and draped trousers
Which fibre composition and weave create the intended drape? Check opacity, seam slippage, care requirements and dimensional change.
No material direction matches both filters. Choose “All garment uses” or “All constructions” to see more.
Side by side
Select up to three materials using the buttons above.
Scroll the table sideways to compare all columns.
Read the specification
GSM is grams per square metre. Ounces per square yard describe the same mass per area in a different unit. Neither tells you fibre quality, opacity, warmth or durability on its own.
Compare weight alongside composition, yarn, construction, finish and test results. Two fabrics with the same GSM can behave differently.
Convert a stated fabric weight. This does not recommend a weight for your garment.
Tool range: 0–2,000 GSM or 0–58.987 oz/yd². These limits are for input checking, not a recommended fabric range.
1 oz/yd² = 33.90574744 GSM
Results are rounded to three decimal places. Formula: GSM ÷ 33.90574744 = oz/yd². Values here are not added to your material note.
From a shortlist to a brief
A decoration direction helps frame the sample discussion. Its suitability depends on the actual fabric, artwork, size, placement and process.
Choose a direction or leave it undecided. Review a decorated sample on the actual material before approval.
Describe the placement only. Do not include contact details or confidential artwork.
Your material note
Review the note, then explicitly choose to copy it or carry it into your project brief. Nothing is sent to GoVoloom here.
Update your selections or placement note to change this preview. You can add further details in the project brief.
The project-brief handoff uses temporary storage in this browser tab for up to one hour. If storage is unavailable, copy the note and paste it into the project brief.
Select at least one material to prepare your note.
Open the project briefBefore you approve a fabric: review the proposed swatch and specification, confirm colour and finishing, agree relevant test methods and results, and assess the fabric and decoration together in a garment sample. A generic material description cannot replace that review.
